We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Floyd Royce Alkenbrack, CD (Ret’d) on 30 July 2021 in Ottawa ON at age 87.
Floyd was born in Timmins ON. He enlisted as a Soldier Apprentice at age 16 in 1954 with the first Apprentice intake of the Royal Canadian Artillery at Camp Shilo MB. After graduating in 1956, he went on to serve with 2 RCHA in Camp Petawawa ON and then returned to Shilo as an instructor in the RCA Depot. Floyd was part of the CL89 Drone program in Montreal in 1965 when he remustered as a Topographical Surveyor and joined the Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa.
Floyd served in the School of Military Mapping and as a Troop WO in Survey Division. His Arctic survey experience includes: Canadian Forces Station Alert Antenna installation survey (1967), Op ARCTIC 72 Baffin Island Electronic Distance Measure Traverse (1972) and Op ARCTIC Pangnirtung & Frobisher Bay, Electronic Distance Measure Traverse (1974). Floyd was OPI of the JMR Doppler procurement program in 1978 and was the Technical Warrant Officer for Op ARCTIC 79 out of Pond Inlet that was the first MCE Doppler Survey. He was the Technical Warrant Officer for Op YUKON Kluane Mountain, St. Elias Doppler and Vertical Angle Traverse survey (1980).
Floyd took his release from the Canadian Forces in 1982 and accepted a position with the Ottawa Carleton Regional Government . He later returned to MCE in charge of the Resource Centre where he became a DD6. Floyd continued to pass on his vast knowledge as he continued to teach Geodesy to many courses.
Floyd was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal in 1978. During his service in MCE, Floyd was also heavily involved with the Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess where he served as President of the Mess Committee during the closing of the old Beaver Barracks Mess and the move to the new mess at Cartier Square. Floyd volunteered extensively with MCE activities such as Christmas parties, picnics, and the Mappers Club.
Funeral details will be advised when known.
